Africa, Sokoto, modern day Nigeria, ca. 500 BCE to 200 CE. This is a hollow terracotta shrine figure showing almost a full body, with the head larger proportionally than the rest; it is a male figure wearing a necklace and with elaboratedly braided hair. Sokoto state in modern day northwest Nigeria is in the Niger River Valley, at the confluence of ancient trade routes and roughly contemporary with the Nok culture to its south. Very little is known of the ancient Sokoto culture; Bayard Rustin (yes that one!), who originally collected the Sokoto collection for the Yale University Art Gallery, recorded that most terracotta pieces like this one were found in large manmade mounds. Characteristic Sokoto figures are large, hollow, thin-walled, and low-fired human figures with heavy eyebrows and beards. Comes with custom stand. Size: 6.7" L x 6.3" W x 15.5" H (17 cm x 16 cm x 39.4 cm)

Provenance: Ex Peter Arnovick Collection

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#112298

Wear; the arms are broken at the ends as is one foot. There are two small holes on the body.